Posted: Feb 11, 2014

SLIAC Game of the Week - Feb. 11

The SLIAC Game of the Week is a weekly feature that highlights a key match-up in the conference this week. This week's SLIAC Game of the Week is the Webster University and Spalding University men's basketball game on Saturday, February 15th in Louisville, Ky.

At a Glance
This Saturday's game is another late key late season match-up to determine control of the 2014 SLIAC Tournament. Spalding is currently atop the SLIAC standings while Webster is in third. Webster is just one game behind Spalding in the loss column with Webster already having handed Spalding their only conference loss this season.

About Webster
Webster begins the week with a 14-6 overall record and an 11-2 record in the SLIAC. They have won four straight games and are coming off a 71-51 win over Iowa Wesleyan on Monday. Webster will face Greenville on Wednesday before traveling south to take on Spalding.Webster is averaging 73.4 points per game this season, third best in the conference, and hsooting 48.5 percent from the floor. The Gorloks tend to pound the ball inside, as they have attempted the fewest three-pointers in the league this season and are averaging a league best 23.4 free-throw attempts per game.

Ahmad Smith is the leading scorer, at 15.8 points per game. Smith is shooting 47.6 percent from the floor and has a team high 27 three-pointers this season. Kevin Miller is the big man in the middle and averages 14.0 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting 52.6 percent from the floor. Hollis Edwards is a dynamic two-way player, averaging 6.8 points, 3.4 assists and a conference high 2.9 steals per game.

About Spalding
Spalding starts the week with a 15-6 overall record and a 13-1 record in the SLIAC. The Golden Eagles have won five straight games and are coming off a 68-45 win over Blackburn on Monday. Spalding is averaging 71.5 points per game this season, fifth most in the SLIAC. The Golden Eagles are the league's best shooting outside team, knocking down 39.1 percent of their three's.

Spalding uses a balanced attack with three players averaging in double figures. William Barber is the team's leading scorer at 13.4 points per game and is a deadly outside shooter, hitting on 45.8 percent of his three's. Brandon Goeing is averaging 11.2 points per game and has a conference high 52 three-pointers this season. Thomas Blakemore is averaging 11.1 points per game as well.

Game Notes

Webster leads the all-time series against Spalding 6-4, including a 58-57 earlier this season.
Webster's win over Spalding earlier this year snapped a four game Spalding win streak in the series.
Spalding is a perfect 7-0 at home this season. Their last loss at home was Nov. 23, 2012 against Asbury.
Webster's Hollis Edwards leads the league in both steals and assists.
After dropping their first five games of the season Spalding has won 15 of their last 16 games.